And the scream keeps coming . . . Don't miss Volume Two of New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent's unique and fascinating Soul Screamers series.

MY SOUL TO KEEP
Aside from the whole "I scream when someone is about to die" thing, Kaylee Cavanaugh's life has gotten better. She's getting to know her dad, doing okay in school and has a hot new boyfriend who understands her in every way. Until the hellion Avari starts tempting everyone with an exotic new drug—demon's breath . . .

MY SOUL TO STEAL
Now on shaky ground with Nash Hudson, Kaylee is taking their relationship easy. But then Sabine—Nash's ex—storms into their lives. She's determined to get Nash back and there's nothing she won't do to remind him of what they had. And since Sabine has special abilities of her own, Kaylee is headed into a battle she's not sure she can win . . .

REAPER —First time in print!—
Though Tod Hudson died two years ago, thanks to his job as a Reaper he's never had to move on or let go of his family—no matter how much Nash would like him to! But few people know about how he came to accept the job of claiming souls . . . (Goodreads)

When the front door slammed, I woke up and rolled over to find my father staring down at me, looking pissed beyond words. Apparently napping with my nose pressed into my boyfriend's denim-clad crotch was not on the list of approved sleeping arrangements.

Who knew?

If there's no memory of love, can there still be love?

My scowl deepened. "She was doing that already. Besides, this makes sense. She's the only one with motive and opportunity."

Alec leaned forward again and shook his head, eyeing me solemnly. "You watch too much TV. Nothing's ever that cut and dry in real life. Especially when you're suspects aren't even human."

My Soul to Keep, #3

(4/5)

Not long after the events of My Soul to Save, Nash and Kaylee are at a typical high school party and discover that the new drug Frost is actually a concentrated form of Demon's Breath. As luck would have it, the first two people to get addicted to the drug are Emma's boyfriend, Doug, and Sophie's boyfriend, Scott.

Between My Soul to Keep and the first 2.5 novels of the Soul Screamers series, this one is definitely the more intense of the three - especially after a jaw dropping confession. It takes a talented author to make their reader feel just as betrayed as the character. Not the "Oh, that sucks" feeling, but where you read that section repetitively just to ensure you really did read that right. That really did happen.

My Soul to Keep puts your emotions through hell. Kaylee is struggling with the starling confession, protecting Emma, and attempting to solve the mystery behind the Demon's Breath. However, she is strong as hell. I give this girl major props for sticking to her guns and refusing to back down or let her personal problems stop her from saving those around her.

Reaper, #3.5

(5/5)

I really enjoyed Reaper. Told from Tod's perspective, we learn a bit more about the family before his death. We see him interacting with Harmony and Nash, who was a bit of a trouble maker back in the day. We also learn a hard hitting truth that we had yet to be privy to. It is also interesting to see Tod's first interactions with Levi, accept the Reaper job, and inform his mother that he isn't quite dead-dead.

The other thing Reaper does in subtly introduces us to Sabine. We don't actually meet her, but we see the relationship she and Nash have, which is rather helpful background information when she pops up in My Soul to Steal.

My Soul to Steal, #4

(4/5)

Still reeling from the events of My Soul to Keep that occurred right before winter break, Kaylee comes back to school dreading a run in with Nash. Their relationship is shaky at best and the appearance of Sabine, Nash's ex-girlfriend, doesn't help. Nor does the fact that Sabine is a Nightmare, a paranormal creature that gives and feeds of nightmares.

My Soul to Steal is a little different than it's predecessors. There is still that paranormal element, but the focus is also on the relationship between Kaylee and Nash. They're relationship took a huge hit in My Soul to Keep and while Kaylee isn't entirely ready to forgive, she's not necessarily willing to let Sabine have him either. At the same time, Sabine isn't exactly understanding that Nash has moved on.

The addition of Alec to our cast of characters is, if anything, exceptionally helpful for Kaylee. When she cannot go to her father, Nash, Harmony, or Tod for anything concerning the paranormal she turns to Alec. Having lived in the Netherworld for a couple decades, Alec is exceptionally insightful and offers Kaylee sound advice.

I find it hard to like Sabine, I don't necessarily think we're supposed to but she doesn't have any redeeming qualities. There is absolutely nothing about her that I found to be positive. We do get a glimpse into her "softer" side, but it's not enough for me to pity her. All in all, I found her to just be plain frustrating and more than annoying.

Overall, My Soul to Steal is a quick and easy read. The mysterious deaths of Kaylee's teachers are more than it seems and Rachel pulls from previous novels and things aren't just forgotten or pushed away to the side, never to be thought of again. Rachel's amazing writing, plot progression, and characters make these novels difficult to put down, which is bonus when the omnibuses are 600+ pages!

Overall

For more reviews, author features, discussion posts and giveaways, click on the banner to see the full MERMAIDS & MYTHS schedule!